Library News 10 September 2021

Published on September 10, 2021

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Top 10 Non-Fiction E-books

Māori at Work by Scotty Morrison
Being Māori-Chinese by Manying Ip
The Value of Māori Language by Rawinia Higgins (Ed.)
The Complete English-Māori Dictionary by Bruce Biggs
Learn Māori Alphabets and Numbers by Maia S.
My First 300 Words in Māori by Stephanie Collins
Whaikōrero by Poia Rewi
Stories on the Four Winds by Brian Bargh (Ed.)
Navigating the Stars by Witi Ihimaera
Tauira by Joan Metge

Leala Faleseuga

Digital Inclusion Coordinator
As libraries, we can be envisaged as trading in language. It is language that forms the means to weave the stories we so love, it is language that transmits the ideas, the visions, the constructed worlds or subjective truths. Language is a conduit, an important bridge between many things. It is a living entity that can thrive, but also perish.

Language and culture spin together in a complex dance, ever joined. It has been said that language is culture, and culture is language, that they enrich and develop each other. Language is an important gateway into a culture, a threshold for deeper understanding, a more nuanced view. What happens to a culture when its language is under threat, at risk of extinction? What happens when people aren’t able to know the language of their culture? I myself am not fluent in either of my languages (Sāmoan/Dutch). While I know this doesn’t make me any less, it has meant that part of my cultural wairua is missing.

Next week is Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, Māori Language Week (13th – 19th September 2021), an important celebration that has occurred every year since 1975. Te Reo Māori has been under threat since the 19th Century, to the point where there were concerns it was dying out. It was out of the political climate and Māori renaissance of the 1970’s and 1980’s that initiatives like Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori were born. Te Reo Māori was made an official language in 1987, and was joined by New Zealand Sign Language in 2006, making them the only two languages in New Zealand that have legal status as such. Te Reo Māori is a taonga, unique and precious to Aotearoa and a vital pou for Māori culture and identity. Its revitalisation is a triumph and a joy that can be celebrated and enjoyed by all.

Libraries Horowhenua has plenty of resources to help you on your Reo Māori journey, or to help you learn more about Te Reo Māori, its history, its revitalisation and its future. We have books, audiobooks, e-books… something for everyone. Keep an eye out as we will soon be launching and exciting new platform that can help you on your Māori language journey. Watch this space! While Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori may be one week, we can celebrate and support Te Reo Māori all year round.

Make sure to check out www.reomaori.co.nz for more information on how to celebrate virtually this year, including how to join the record breaking Māori Language Moment!

What’s On

We strongly believe our libraries are at the heart of every community and we mirror, reflect and service our community according to their needs. Libraries Horowhenua are taking extra practical steps to ensure our community have access to our services during this challenging time.

Under Alert Level 2:

  • All of our Horowhenua Libraries will be open normal hours.  The exception to this is no late night Wednesday at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō.
  • The Youth Space will be closed until further notice.
  • Please wear a mask, as these are mandatory during Alert Level 2.
  • Please scan the NZ Covid Tracer App QR Code at the entrance to our facilities, or use the alternative paper methods that will be provided.
  • Please maintain 2 meter physical distancing at all times.
  • Customer numbers will be restricted at Shannon Library, so we can ensure safe 2 meter distancing
  • There will only be one entry and one exit point at each of our facilities.
  • Our staff will be ensuring our spaces are safe and healthy with cleaning and hygiene protocols.
  • All programming is cancelled until further notice.
  • Public computers are still available, but with physical distancing measures.  
  • EBooks, audiobooks, and online resources are available 24/7 on our website through our online platform Libby https://www.tetakere.org.nz/Your-Library/Digital-Resources/eBooks

 

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation, this helps us ensure we all keep safe during Alert Level 2.

 

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